Engaging the Public

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires that federal agencies engage the public during preparation of an EIS. BLM began this process on June 14, 2013, by publishing the Notice of Intent to prepare this RMP/EIS in the Federal Register, announcing the beginning of a public scoping period to solicit public comments and to identify issues. With publication of the Notice of Availability for the Central Yukon Draft RMP/EIS in the Federal Register on December 11, 2020, BLM will be providing the Draft RMP/EIS for review and accepting input from the public, Tribes, and agencies during a 180-day comment period. Comments must be received by close of business on June 9, 2021.

During the Draft RMP/EIS comment period, BLM  hosted seven Virtual NEPA Public Meetings/ANICLA 810 Subsistence Hearings to solicit public input on the Draft RMP/EIS and Section 810 Preliminary Evaluation. The meetings/hearings were held via the Zoom online video platform and via teleconference so that participants could attend remotely. These seven live virtual public meetings included a public informational portion and public hearing portion. The BLM gave a project overview presentation at the start of each meeting, followed by a question-and-answer session, and an opportunity to provide verbal comments.

Each meeting had a focus audience. Residents of these communities were given priority on attendance and providing public comment; however, the general public was welcome to attend any of the meetings. The meeting dates are as follows:

• January 26, 2021 and January 27, 2021, 1:00-5:00 P.M. (Focus audience: general public)

• January 28, 2021 and February 2, 2021, 1:00-5:00 P.M. (Focus audience: Coldfoot, Wiseman, Bettles, Evansville, Anaktuvuk Pass, Alatna, Allakaket)

  • The virtual public meetings on January 28, 2021 and February 2, 2021 will also include an ANILCA Section 810 Hearing

• February 3, 2021, 1:00-5:00 P.M. (Focus audience: Nulato, Koyukuk, Ruby, Galena/Louden Village)

• February 4, 2021, 1:00-5:00 P.M. (Focus audience: Tanana, Rampart, Stevens Village, Venetie/Arctic Village)

The BLM also added a live virtual public meeting held on February 9, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The focus audience for this meeting included: Coldfoot, Wiseman, Bettles, Evansville, Anaktuvuk Pass, Alatna, Allakaket. This meeting also included an Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) Section 810 Hearing.

Participants were notified that registering for the virtual public meeting(s) was required in advance and could be completed at the BLM’s NEPA Register website. Information on how to attend was made available on the BLM’s NEPA Register website. Attendees could join by computer or phone to learn about the Central Yukon Draft RMP/EIS and the NEPA process. The NEPA Public Meetings/ANILCA 810 Subsistence Hearings transcripts are available on BLM’s NEPA Register website.

Next Station: Providing Comments

For more information on the Draft RMP/EIS or to submit comments, please visit the BLM’s NEPA Register website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/35315/510.

For more information, contact Chel Ethun at (907) 474-2253.